Wayne County Title hits 50-year mark

Published: July 18, 2004 12:00 AM

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By NAOMI SNYDERStaff WriterWOOSTER Even though Wayne County Title Agency, Inc. is celebrating its 50th anniversary, owner Richard Keating has no intention of retiring."I'm planning for my 78th birthday (on July 21), but I have no retirement plans in mind," Keating said.As he proudly displayed a picture of himself and his 3-year-old daughter Louise Keating at the 1954 Wayne County Fair, the Cleveland native said he couldn't imagine himself and wife Martha raising their children anywhere other than Wooster."I've had numerous opportunities to go to bigger cities for supposedly bigger and better things, but this a wonderful city and a wonderful place to raise a family," Keating said.Keating's family has remained in Wooster, for the most part, with Louise and his son John working at Wayne County Title."I would not have had a partner other than my children. I love working with them. We have a wonderful time," Keating said.Although Carol Lang Modarelli may not biologically be related to Keating, she's a member of his family, after more than four decades with Wayne County Title."I just finished my 44th year. It's my only job. I came here at 17, just out of high school," Lang Modarelli said. "It's been an interesting experience, the people we work with are wonderful.""I'm thinking about maybe giving her a raise one of these days," Keating said with a laugh. Lang Modarelli said she has enjoyed being a part of people's home ownership dreams."The nicest thing is to see someone get their first home," Lang Modarelli said. "They are so excited."This excitement is one reason Keating has practiced real estate law."I started in the general practice of law, but real estate law is the least adversarial. Everybody's happy 99 times out of 100," Keating said.Wayne County Title is not only proud of its past, but the way it has handled and adapted to change."Governmental requirements have complicated the loan process, but in so doing, they have enabled more people to qualify for loans," Keating said.And that's just what Keating said he likes to see more people fulfilling their dreams of home ownership.Business Editor and health reporter Naomi Snyder can be reached at (330) 287-1623 or e-mail nsnyder@the-daily-record.com.